Dr Neil Jordan
Senior Lecturer

Dr Neil Jordan

PhD Zoology (University of Cambridge, 2009)

MSc Zoology (University of Stellenbosch, 2005)

BSc(Hons) Zoology (University of Manchester, 2000)

Science
Centre for Ecosystem Science

I am most interested in the ecology and behavior of predators in human- or livestock-dominated areas, and in developing and evaluating tools to reduce human-wildlife conflict. Other interests include animal communication, and most recently in applying this to managing carnivore movements. Overall I am interested in research underpinning conservation management.

Phone
+61-2-68811452
  • Book Chapters | 2022
    2022, 'The Function of Carnivore Latrines', in , Wiley, pp. 131 - 171, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/9781118943274.ch7
    Book Chapters | 2021
    2021, 'Animal-borne technologies in wildlife research and conservation', in Conservation Technology, Oxford University Press, pp. 105 - 128, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198850243.003.0006
    Book Chapters | 2019
    2019, 'The Social Function of Latrines: A Hypothesis-Driven Research Approach', in Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 14, Springer International Publishing, pp. 94 - 103, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-17616-7_8
  • Journal articles | 2022
    2022, 'Drone thermal imaging technology provides a cost-effective tool for landscape-scale monitoring of a cryptic forest-dwelling species across all population densities', Wildlife Research, 49, pp. 66 - 78, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/WR21034
    Journal articles | 2022
    2022, 'Interpack communication in African wild dogs at long-term shared marking sites', Animal Behaviour, 192, pp. 27 - 38, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.07.006
    Journal articles | 2022
    2022, 'Long-term, climate-driven phenological shift in a tropical large carnivore', Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 119, http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2121667119
    Journal articles | 2022
    2022, 'Priority of access to food and its influence on social dynamics of an endangered carnivore', Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 76, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00265-021-03115-z
    Journal articles | 2022
    2022, 'Telemetry tails: a practical method for attaching animal-borne devices to small vertebrates in the field', Wildlife Research, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr21107
    Journal articles | 2021
    2021, 'Automated shepherds: Responses of captive dingoes to sound and an inflatable, moving effigy', Pacific Conservation Biology, 27, pp. 195 - 201, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/PC20022
    Journal articles | 2021
    2021, 'Co-existing with dingoes: Challenges and solutions to implementing non-lethal management', Australian Zoologist, 41, pp. 491 - 510, http://dx.doi.org/10.7882/AZ.2020.024
    Journal articles | 2021
    2021, 'Panic at the disco: Solar-powered strobe light barriers reduce field incursion by African elephants Loxodonta africana in Chobe District, Botswana', ORYX, 55, pp. 739 - 746, http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0030605319001182
    Journal articles | 2021
    2021, 'The characteristics and consequences of African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) den site selection', Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 75, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00265-021-03047-8
    Journal articles | 2021
    2021, 'Training future generations to deliver evidence-based conservation and ecosystem management', Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 2, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.12032
    Journal articles | 2021
    2021, 'WildWID: An open-source active RFID system for wildlife research', Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 12, pp. 1580 - 1587, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13651
    Journal articles | 2020
    2020, 'Addressing inequality and intolerance in human–wildlife coexistence', Conservation Biology, 34, pp. 803 - 810, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13471
    Journal articles | 2020
    2020, 'Artificial eyespots on cattle reduce predation by large carnivores', Communications Biology, 3, pp. 430, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-01156-0
    Journal articles | 2020
    2020, 'Box A3: Making Sense of Scents', , pp. 77 - 79, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/9781118968543.oth3
    Journal articles | 2020
    2020, 'Real-time drone derived thermal imagery outperforms traditional survey methods for an arboreal forest mammal', PLoS ONE, 15, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0242204
    Journal articles | 2020
    2020, 'Scent-marking strategies of a solitary carnivore: boundary and road scent marking in the leopard', Animal Behaviour, 161, pp. 115 - 126, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.12.016
    Journal articles | 2020
    2020, 'Spatial and seasonal patterns of communal latrine use by spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) reflect a seasonal resource defense strategy', Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 74, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00265-020-02895-0
    Journal articles | 2020
    2020, 'Spatial and temporal overlaps between leopards (Panthera pardus) and their competitors in the African large predator guild', Journal of Zoology, 311, pp. 246 - 259, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jzo.12781
    Journal articles | 2020
    2020, 'Spatio-temporal factors impacting encounter occurrences between leopards and other large African predators', Journal of Zoology, 310, pp. 191 - 200, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jzo.12746
    Journal articles | 2019
    2019, 'Cheetah marking trees: Distribution, visitation and behaviour', African Journal of Ecology, 57, pp. 419 - 422, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aje.12602
    Journal articles | 2019
    2019, 'Chemical capture of wild swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in tropical northern Australia using thiafentanil, etorphine and azaperone combinations', Australian Veterinary Journal, 97, pp. 33 - 38, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/avj.12782
    Journal articles | 2019
    2019, 'OpenDropOff: An open-source, low-cost drop-off unit for animal-borne devices', Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 10, pp. 1517 - 1522, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13231
    Journal articles | 2019
    2019, 'Parsimonious test of dynamic interaction', Ecology and Evolution, 9, pp. 1654 - 1664, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.4805
    Journal articles | 2019
    2019, 'Pets and pests: a review of the contrasting economics and fortunes of dingoes and domestic dogs in Australia, and a proposed new funding scheme for non-lethal dingo management', Wildlife Research, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/WR19030
    Journal articles | 2017
    Abrahms B; Sawyer SC; Jordan NR; McNutt JW; Wilson AM; Brashares JS, 2017, 'Does wildlife resource selection accurately inform corridor conservation?', Journal of Applied Ecology, 54, pp. 412 - 422, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12714
    Journal articles | 2017
    Dewhirst OP; Roskilly K; Hubel TY; Jordan NR; Golabek KA; McNutt JW; Wilson AM, 2017, 'An exploratory clustering approach for extracting stride parameters from tracking collars on free-ranging wild animals', Journal of Experimental Biology, 220, pp. 341 - 346, http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.146035
    Journal articles | 2017
    Jordan NR; Buse C; Wilson AM; Golabek KA; Apps PJ; Lowe JC; Van der Weyde LK; Weldon McNutt J, 2017, 'Dynamics of direct inter-pack encounters in endangered African wild dogs', Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 71, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00265-017-2338-9
    Journal articles | 2017
    McNutt JW; Stein AB; McNutt LB; Jordan NR, 2017, 'Living on the edge: Characteristics of human-wildlife conflict in a traditional livestock community in Botswana', Wildlife Research, 44, pp. 546 - 557, http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/WR16160
    Journal articles | 2017
    Walker RH; King AJ; McNutt JW; Jordan NR, 2017, 'Sneeze to leave: African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) use variable quorum thresholds facilitated by sneezes in collective decisions', Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 284, http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2017.0347
    Journal articles | 2017
    2017, 'On the Right Track? Comparing Concurrent Spoor and Camera-Trap Surveys in Botswana', African Journal of Wildlife Research, 47, pp. 128 - 137, http://dx.doi.org/10.3957/056.047.0128
    Journal articles | 2017
    2017, 'The effect of relatedness and pack size on territory overlap in African wild dogs', Movement Ecology, 5, http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40462-017-0099-8
    Journal articles | 2016
    Abrahms B; Jordan NR; Golabek KA; McNutt JW; Wilson AM; Brashares JS, 2016, 'Lessons from integrating behaviour and resource selection: activity-specific responses of African wild dogs to roads', Animal Conservation, 19, pp. 247 - 255, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/acv.12235
    Journal articles | 2016
    Hubel TY; Myatt JP; Jordan NR; Dewhirst OP; McNutt JW; Wilson AM, 2016, 'Additive opportunistic capture explains group hunting benefits in African wild dogs', Nature Communications, 7, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms11033
    Journal articles | 2016
    Hubel TY; Myatt JP; Jordan NR; Dewhirst OP; McNutt JW; Wilson AM, 2016, 'Energy cost and return for hunting in African wild dogs and cheetahs', Nature Communications, 7, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms11034
    Journal articles | 2015
    Pomilia MA; Mcnutt JW; Jordan NR, 2015, 'Ecological predictors of African wild dog ranging patterns in Northern Botswana', Journal of Mammalogy, 96, pp. 1214 - 1223, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyv130
    Journal articles | 2014
    2014, 'The "tomcat compound" 3-mercapto-3-methylbutanol occurs in the urine of free-ranging leopards but not in African lions or cheetahs', Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 53, pp. 17 - 19, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bse.2013.12.013
    Journal articles | 2014
    2014, 'Top marks from top dogs: Tandem marking and pair bond advertisement in african wild dogs', Animal Behaviour, 88, pp. 211 - 217, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.12.001
    Journal articles | 2013
    2013, 'Scent-mark identification and scent-marking behaviour in African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus)', Ethology, 119, pp. 644 - 652, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/eth.12105
    Journal articles | 2012
    2012, 'Fine-scale spatiotemporal patterns of genetic variation reflect budding dispersal coupled with strong natal philopatry in a cooperatively breeding mammal', Molecular Ecology, 21, pp. 5348 - 5362, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mec.12015
    Journal articles | 2012
    2012, 'Molecular comparison of historical and contemporary pine marten (Martes martes) populations in the British Isles: Evidence of differing origins and fates, and implications for conservation management', Conservation Genetics, 13, pp. 1195 - 1212, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10592-012-0365-7
    Journal articles | 2011
    2011, 'Scent marking in wild banded mongooses: 1. Sex-specific scents and overmarking', Animal Behaviour, 81, pp. 31 - 42, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2010.07.010
    Journal articles | 2011
    2011, 'Scent marking in wild banded mongooses: 2. Intrasexual overmarking and competition between males', Animal Behaviour, 81, pp. 43 - 50, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2010.07.009
    Journal articles | 2011
    2011, 'Scent marking in wild banded mongooses: 3. Intrasexual overmarking in females', Animal Behaviour, 81, pp. 51 - 60, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2010.10.007
    Journal articles | 2010
    2010, 'Scent marking within and between groups of wild banded mongooses', Journal of Zoology, 280, pp. 72 - 83, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2009.00646.x
    Journal articles | 2008
    2008, 'Radiocollars do not affect the survival or foraging behaviour of wild meerkats', Journal of Zoology, 274, pp. 248 - 253, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.2007.00377.x
    Journal articles | 2007
    2007, 'Helpers increase the reproductive potential of offspring in cooperative meerkats', Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 274, pp. 513 - 520, http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2006.3698
    Journal articles | 2007
    2007, 'Latrine distribution and patterns of use by wild meerkats: implications for territory and mate defence', Animal Behaviour, 73, pp. 613 - 622, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2006.06.010
    Journal articles | 2007
    2007, 'Scent-marking investment is determined by sex and breeding status in meerkats', Animal Behaviour, 74, pp. 531 - 540, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2006.12.015
    Journal articles | 2006
    2006, 'Cortisol levels are positively associated with pup-feeding rates in male meerkats', Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 273, pp. 571 - 577, http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2005.3087
    Journal articles | 2006
    2006, 'Elevated prolactin levels immediately precede decisions to babysit by male meerkat helpers', Hormones and Behavior, 50, pp. 94 - 100, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yhbeh.2006.01.009
    Journal articles | 2006
    2006, 'Intrasexual competition and sexual selection in cooperative mammals', Nature, 444, pp. 1065 - 1068, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature05386
    Journal articles | 2005
    2005, ''False feeding' and aggression in meerkat societies', Animal Behaviour, 69, pp. 1273 - 1284, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2004.10.006
    Journal articles | 2005
    2005, 'Welfare implications of captive primate population management: Behavioural and psycho-social effects of female-based contraception, oestrus and male removal in hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas)', Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 90, pp. 155 - 165, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2004.08.014
    Journal articles | 2004
    2004, 'ADAPTIVE SIZE MODIFICATION BY DOMINANT FEMALE MEERKATS', Evolution, 58, pp. 1600 - 1600, http://dx.doi.org/10.1554/03-480
    Journal articles | 2004
    2004, 'Adaptive size modification by dominant female meerkats', Evolution, 58, pp. 1600 - 1607, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0014-3820.2004.tb01739.x
    Journal articles | 2002
    2002, 'Top marks from top dogs: Tandem marking and pair bond advertisement in dominant African wild dogs', New Scientist, 176, pp. 42
  • Conference Papers | 2016
    Jordan N, 2016, 'Pair-specific scents in African wild dogs, Lycaon pictus, and an example of a potential method to identify signals within complex mixtures.', in Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 13, Springer, pp. 461 - 476, presented at Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 13

The underlying motivation for my research program is to produce research and evidence that contributes to wildlife management, particularly addressing human-wildlife conflict, a key driver of carnivore decline globally. Details of my carnivore conservation research can be found here on my website, including carnivore conservation research in Botswana, in collaboration with Botswana Predator Conservation, and encompassing conservation ecology and applied conservation programs, particularly focused on large carnivores including African wild dogs, lions, leopards, and hyaenas.

In Australia, my Myall Lakes Dingo Project, supported by the Hermon Slade Foundation and Taronga Conservation Society Australia, aims to develop and test non-lethal tools for dingo management.

I also conduct research in reintroduction biology, specifically focusing on a Greater bilby breed-for-release program at Taronga Western Plains Zoo (where I am based), and reintroduction and rehabilitation of wildlife more broadly.

 

Coexistence Director of Botswana Predator Conservation

Member Human-Wildlife Conflict Working Group in Botswana

Member Carnivores Botswana

Member, Research Committee, The Carnivore Conservancy

My Research Supervision

Cameron Radford (PhD Candidate) - “Evaluating signal-based tools to reduce conflicts with Africa’s large carnivores” (Primary Supervisor; co-supervised by T Rogers). 

Kate Cornelsen (PhD Candidate) – “Conservation ecology of reintroduced Greater bilbies ” (Primary Supervisor; co-supervised by R Kingsford, A Elphinstone). 

Benjamin Walker (PhD Candidate) – “African leopard communication and movement ecology” (Primary Supervisor; co-supervised by T Rogers, E Bennitt). 

Lucy Ransome (PhD Candidate; Griffith University) - “African wild dogs: social behaviour and movement in a fugitive carnivore”. (Principal Supervisor [external], with D Jones, H McCallum (Griffith University), A Goldizen (University of Queensland)). 

Rethabile Setlalekgomo (MPhil Candidate; University of Botswana) – “African leopard population monitoring techniques” (Co-supervisor [external] with E Bennitt) 

Victoria Inman (PhD Candidate; UNSW) - “Hippos as ecosystem engineers in the Okavango delta, Botswana” (Secondary Supervisor with K Leggett, R Kingsford). 

Anna Lewis (PhD Candidate; UNSW) - “Tasmanian devil diet” (Secondary Supervisor with T Rogers). 

Brendan Alting (Hons Candidate; UNSW) – “The characteristics and consequences of African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) den site selection ” (Primary Supervisor; Co-supervised by Hayley Bates, Ben Pitcher) 

Callum Price (Hons Candidate; UNSW) – “Dingo spatial and temporal activity patterns” (Primary Supervisor; Co-supervised by Hayley Bates, Ben Pitcher, Andrew Elphinstone) 

My Teaching

BIOS6671- Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources

The course covers applications of community ecology, population biology and genetics to the management of natural resources, environmental problems and conservation of biodiversity. Principles are conveyed using examples from terrestrial and marine flora and fauna, with a focus on the nature and importance of biodiversity, and the design and management of programs for the conservation of species and ecosystems. The course includes an in-depth field component studying the tools and practicalities of reintroduction biology- and focusing on a Greater bilby breed-for-release program at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. This course is co-convened by Dr Neil Jordan and Dr Teagan Gale.

 

BIOS6723- River Basin Ecosystem Management (Botswana)

This is an intensive field course (10 days, 6 unit of credit course) focused on the management of one of the world’s most spectacular ecosystems – the Okavango Delta World Heritage site in Botswana. Upstream pressures to build dams and withdraw water threaten the entire ecosystem. In this course, we partner with Kings College London and Arizona State University (our PLuS Alliance partners) and the University of Botswana,resulting in a diverse mix of students and competition for the few places available (last year 6 UNSW students). The course is jointly coordinated by Professor Richard Kingsford, Dr Neil Jordan and Dr Keith Leggett from BEES and also academics from Arizona State University and Kings College London.